NAN-S-3
Falcons
By Chukwuemeka Opara
Abakaliki, Dec. 4, 2016 (NAN) Ebonyi soccer fans have hailed Super Falcons Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) 2016 title-triumph over Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon on Saturday, saying it’s a “triple-revenge’’ over Nigeria’s perennial soccer foes.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Falcons defeated the hosts 1-0 through a Desire Oparanozie 84th minute strike, to record their eight title out of the competition’s 10 editions.
The fans told NAN on Sunday in Abakaliki, that it was “triple-revenge’’ due to the Indomitable Lions three AFCON title triumph over the Super Eagles in 1984, 1988 and 2000.
The Falcons in turn defeated the Lionesses to win the 2004, 2014 and currently, the 2016 edition of the competition.
Bright Ejeh, a soccer Historian, noted that Saturday’s triumph was significant because the Falcons have avenged the Super Eagles ordeals in Cameroon’s hands.
“The Eagles’ loss in the 2000 edition in Lagos was most painful because Nigerians expected them to halt the losses to Cameroon after committing much in co-hosting the edition with Ghana.
“Things, however, turned awry as Cameroon scored within 30 minutes and Victor Ikpeba failed to celebrate his penalty goal during the shootout after the Eagles equalised both goals,’’ he said.
Franca Uguru, a female soccer coach in Ebonyi Sports Council, said that the Falcons had proven beyond doubts that “what a man can do, a woman can do better’’.
“It is currently a case of ‘what a man cannot do’, a woman would do’, as the Super Eagles players should pour a special champagne in Falcons’ honour for the revenge.
“The victory should also make relevant soccer authorities in the country, pay more attention to female football which has the potential of attracting more laurels for the country,’’ she said.
Chika Nwangele, Ebonyi United FC Captain, said that the Lions seeming edge over the Super Eagles was due Cameroon’s continental influence having produced the CAF president.
“I still remember with nostalgia, that the Lions defeated the Eagles 1-0 at `Maroc 88’ through a controversial penalty awarded to them by referee Idrissa Sarr of Mauritania.
“Henry Nwosu’s `textbook’ goal was also disqualified in the match and the same scenario repeated in 2000 with the climax being Ikpeba’s disallowed penalty shootout goal,’’ he said.
Supporting this assertion, Mrs Chidinma Odoh, a female Rights Activist, noted that personalities play crucial roles in the administration of soccer across the globe.
“The influence of Nigeria’s female soccer administrators such as Aisha Falode and Lizzy Onyewunwa among others ensures that the Falcons’ display on the pitch determines their fate.
“Winning in Younde in front of President Paul Biya was no mean feat, as these administrators should ensure that the team excels on the global stage having seemingly conquered Africa,’’ she said.
Chief Francis Ogbonna, a businessmen and soccer enthusiast, urged the Super Eagles to take a cue from the Falcons’ victory to confront the Lions in August 2017 during their Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
“The victory should serve as a psychological boost for them in their matches and they have the advantage of leading the group with six points, while Cameroon is in distant second-place on two points,’’ he
said. (NAN)
RCO/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)